Lagos State task force on environmental offences said it arrested six persons, who allegedly specialised in using its officials, and military personnel camouflage to carry out various crimes.

A spokesperson for the agency, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, told journalists that they arrested the impersonators between January and April, stressing that reports of fake task force personnel were becoming worrisome to the agency.

Mr Abdulraheem had said that one suspect, who wore the agency’s camouflage, was arrested on Sunday in the Oshodi area while trying to steal a motorcycle from its owner.

He said that the suspect specialised in impersonating officials of the agency with camouflage trousers and wallet, to dispossess unsuspecting motorcyclists of their bikes and valuables in different parts of the state.

“We will carry on with this mop-up exercise until every fake official is arrested and taken to court.

“This will serve as a deterrent to others, who might be nursing the idea of impersonation,” he stated.

The task force spokesperson said the victim and motorcycle owner, Yahaya Usman, said he was flagged down by the suspect around Mafoluku Oshodi, asking him to take him (suspect) to the inner parts of Oshodi.

Mr Abdulraheem said on getting to the destination, the suspect asked the rider to divert to a different location,n where he pushed him off the bike and sped off with the motorcycle.

He said the motorcyclist chased the suspect until he caught up with him before the task force officers close by came to his rescue and arrested the suspect.

Mr Abdulraheem said the suspect confessed to have been into the illicit trade of impersonating military and paramilitary officers because it gave him free access on the road, and also some privileges across the country. 

(NAN)